Lawyers, journalists, teachers, doctors and others gathered in downtown Tbilisi to denounce what they called Saakashvili's repressive rule, chanting "Saakashvili, go away!" and "No Violence."

Georgia's opposition parties are preparing to launch a wave of street protests to force Saakashvili out if he doesn't step down voluntarily by April 9. Saakashvili has rejected opposition demands and said he would serve through the end of his term in 2013.